Friday, February 13, 2009

I have embarked on a journey to read the Bible in a year. If you've never done this, I strongly encourage you to give it a try. Regardless of where you are in your own spiritual journey, I feel there is so much to learn from reading the story as a whole.

I did this once before a couple of years ago, and gained so much from the process.

Knowledge of God.

Seeing how He has woven certain themes throughout the Bible.

The spiritual growth from being in God's Word every day.

The last time I set out on this journey....it ended up taking me a year and a half to complete it. There were a few days that I skipped and some days where I wanted to go back and reread what I read the day before. But, still I persevered and was able to finish.

This year my church set out on Jan 1 together. We have a guide that we are following. I have made it all the way to Numbers!! Woo Hoo!!!

This is something that you can start at any time. You don't need to wait until Jan 1 to get started. Jump in today.

Some things that have helped me:

1. I do not read my daily reading in a Study Bible. I get too bogged down in the notes and it distracts me. Instead, after I'm done reading for the day if I have questions (I usually do) then and only then do I look at the notes in my Study Bible.

2. Before starting each book of the Bible, I read a summary of it in the book The Map: Making the Bible Meaningful, Accessible, Practical by Nick Page. It is a great resource tool.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is well worth the money spent. It was recommended to me this fall by Jen Hatmaker, who spoke at our church's Women's Retreat.

Each chapter includes a quick overview, details, puzzling points, graphics & much more.

3. A friend of mine is part of a group of bloggers all reading the Bible in a year. They've started a blog and one of them posts each day on that day's passage. It is encouraging to know others are with you on the journey and also to read their insights.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Just a thought, I'm adding on to this post. It's something that has been bugging me since the Superbowl. We were at a friend's house and were watching it live. I found it totally disheartening to see some of the inappropriate ads that were run during a broadcast that families were watching. The sexual innuendo is something that I have become increasingly aware of, as my kids have gotten older. I find it hard to believe that there are people who are okay with their children viewing this garbage. Is that what Americans really want??? It has made me very thankful for my DVR, which is how we normally watch prime time programs when we are at home.

Now, I am getting off of my soapbox. Click on the video above, it will make you laugh.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Here we are 5 days into February and I'm just wondering....how are your New Year's Resolutions coming along??

Broken??

Forgot about 'em???

Doing great???

Checking 'em off??

I was messing around online and came across a list of the most popular New Year's Resolutions (These are from www.boncherry.com):

1. Lose Weight

2. Pay off Debts

3. Save Money

4. Get a Better Job

5. Get fit

6. Eat Right

7. Get a Better Education

8. Drink Less Alcohol

9. Quit Smoking

10. Reduce Stress Overall

Quite a list, huh??? Sound familiar??

How about these funny New Year's Resolutions? (From the same website):

1. I will do less laundry and use more deodorant.

2. I will give up chocolates totally. 100%. Completely. Honestly...

3. I will figure out why I really need 9 email addresses.

4. I will not bore my boss with the same excuse for taking leave. I will think of some more excuses.

5. I will stop sending emails to my wife or husband.

6. I resolve to work with neglected children- my own.

7. I will spend less than one hour a day on the internet. This of course will be hard to estimate since I'm not a clock watcher.

8. I will not tell the same story at every get together.

9. I will not read email or text when I am on the phone with someone else.

10. I will think of a password other than "password."

I no longer make a list of New Year's Resolutions. A whole list is a lot to change. I used to do it in the past, but by Feb I'd already failed. Instead, each year, I focus on one thing that I'd like to emphasize.

This year, 2009, I am trying to laugh more. That's it. Laugh more. Two little words. It's something that I can think about as I'm going through my days and it's a change that I can make. 2008 was a trying year for me, both emotionally and spiritually. It was a rough road. Laughter is good for the soul. I mean the real laugh out loud until tears come...that kind of laughter. Laughter is healing. That is why I'm trying to laugh more.

Let me share what I was striving for the past couple of years with you:

Last year, 2008, I was trying to be authentic. Not that I was a liar before, but there were certain areas in my life where I'd kind of hide behind a mask.

In 2007, I was trying to simplify. That's it. To simplify....in all areas, organization, schedule, kids stuff and mine.

I've found that focusing on one little area can bring true change. It's something that can be achieved.

So, I probably should've posted this post Jan 1....but you know, I've been busy. I've been living life. So, I'm sharing it with you now, better late than never. Who needs a new year to make change?? Start today!

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Little Buddy: (On a night where we were having baked chicken for dinner...) I don't like this kind of chicken. I only like old chicken that's been dead for about 5 years. How long has this chicken been dead??

Little Buddy: (Later in the week, when we were having chicken patty on roll, tater tots, and applesauce....my tribute to Elem school lunch!) This is the best dinner you've ever made. You should cook like this all the time!

Me: (While watching the Steelers/Ravens Playoff game) I can't believe the Ravens are wearing short sleeves! They are gonna freeze.

The Champ: Please Mom, they are men. Men don't get cold.

and my favorite......

My Girl: (to me and Brian) I'm fifteen, I know everything there is to know. :)

Monday, January 19, 2009

Isn't the power of technology incredible?? Generally, technology and myself are not a good match. It's kind of like oil and water. When it comes to the computer, I've had a love/hate relationship with it. Mostly hate. I love the endless possibilities but hate that I really don't know how to do much other than email. Seriously, until two years ago I didn't even know how to upload my digital pictures on to it!!! All of my precious family memories were trapped on memory cards....when one would get full, I'd go to WalMart and by a new one. Sad?? I know!

Thankfully, some friends showed me the light one evening when I confessed that I had about 15 memory cards, and I've been uploading ever since!

Excel???? Powepoint???? You scare me!

Let's just say that when the computer isn't working right, I'm the kind of girl that turns it off and hopes it will get better by "resting."

Over the past year and a half something has happened thanks to the computer, that I never would have thought possible. I have made some wonderful friends and reconnected with old friends.

Have you met a friend over the computer???

Last year I was the team Mom for my daughters cheerleading squad. As part of my "duties" I had to update the parents through email. Often I'd do this late at night after 11PM when everyone was asleep. Many times one Mom would be up and email me right back. I'd email her back. We just connected instantly. We talked about raising teens, lice, friends, even death. We never met each other because she wasn't able to attend the games. After a few months of emailing each other she finally came over to my house. When she pulled up and got out of the car, we just hugged each other. It was so nice to finally meet in person. (Of course my kids thought it was pretty dorky.... they call her my email friend.) We've stayed friends, done lunch, and she was one of my biggest encouragers about running in the marathon this past fall.

This year I joined facebook. Talk about a mind boggling experience. Let's just say that if you join facebook you will be reconnected with people that you've known through every stage of your life. It is the new version of "This is your life." Everyone from people you went to elementary school with, sorority sisters, past co-workers, family members, to friends and neighbors that your close with today. It is so strange to see them all listed side by side on one computer screen.

About a year and a half ago, I started this blog. My sole intention was to update my friends and family on my kids. As time passed I connected with other women and got to know them and their stories through their blogs. I like to think of it as the new way for Mom's to connect. When my Mom and Grandma had their kids, most Moms didn't work outside the home. They'd get together and share stories, recipes, laugh & cry together. I like to think that in a way, the blog kind of replaces the over the fence talk of generations past.

I've met many women through my blog. Including a few that go to my church. One friend that I met used to go to my church and had moved to Florida and started blogging. We read each others blogs and finally got a chance to meet in person this fall. How cool is that? There have been many friends I've met that either have a blog that I started reading or who've somehow stumbled across mine. It is always so neat to meet them in real life.

Then there are those people that I've yet to meet in real life. This is one. Her name is Kelly and right now she can use our prayers. After battling infertility she got pregnant and just gave birth to her first baby, a girl named Harper. Harper was born at 40 and a half weeks and is in critical condition right now in Tulsa. She is having problems with her lungs and her heart. She can give you the details better than I, so if you have a few minutes go over to her siteand read about her. If you could stop what you're doing right now and say a quick prayer, I know it'd be greatly appreciated.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

It is soooooo hard to believe. How can my baby be that old?? Next year, he'll be in double digits!!! That is just wrong!

It's funny because I think he'll always be my baby. Even when he's 20, 30 or 40. It's just something about that youngest kid.

There are 4 years between him and his brother. For a long time we thought we'd only have 2 kids. When we decided to have a third, it was so exciting. We were older, wiser(so we thought..Ha!) and had a little more money.

We really focused on each stage and tried to enjoy it. We tried to just be in the moment.

So, now he is 9!!!

He is such a cool kid.

His sense of humor is incredible.

He loves sports.

He has unlimited energy.

He loves to read.

He loves God.

He loves his family.

Here are some pics from our celebration at Medievil Times. He has been wanting to go there for a couple of years.

(It's a little pricey, but they have some really good deals online if you want to go.)

About Me

Remember that feeling you got when you were a kid as you chased after fireflies? Freedom, laughter, awe...those are just a few of emotions that come to mind. Then we grow up. Along comes the husband, the kids, the job, the home, the sports practices and games, the bills and the busy-ness. Somehow those simple feelings of happiness and joy become elusive. Strangely, I've discovered that as I chase after these feelings one surprising thing consistently brings me to them. Serving others. God tells us in his word...Love God, Love One Another. Those 5 words sum up the Bible beautifully. My hope is that this blog will be a place of inspiration. So I'd like to invite you to join me as we chase fireflies together.